Lavrov noted that the UN Security Council never addressed the Yemen issue, and that the Saudi attack has no legal justification in international law. He noted with annoyance that the Saudis only came to the Security Council after the attack had already begun.

The attacks are creating a growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, with Saudi forces blocking the Red Cross from delivering medical aid amid shortages exacerbated by the war.

Lavrov urged both sides to halt their fighting and head to the negotiating table, insisting there was no way the UN Security Council could unilaterally declare the Saudi war justified without a dialogue even attempted.